Stick or switch? 9 teams facing quarterback quandaries
This offseason could see a historic number of quarterbacks change teams. The draft class also appears to have several starting-caliber signal-callers, which will add to the chaos.
But right now, we're entering Week 11 and have a good feel for which teams are contenders and which ones need to think about tomorrow.
Buffalo just announced it's playing Nathan Peterman behind center at the expense of Tyrod Taylor. Taylor's recent years have been shakey, and it doesn't appear this new coaching staff wants a QB with his playing style.
Also, given the sorry state of the AFC, the Bills might just fall into a playoff spot and hinder their long-term rebuilding goals with a few more wins. So, they're turning to Peterman to see what the rookie can do in the final stretch.
Let's decide what nine other teams should do with the most important position on the field, whether it's in their coaches' best interests or not.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens haven't done a good job planning for the future at this position, and it's now safe to say Joe Flacco is more of a liability than someone they should rely on. Amazingly, though, Baltimore, which has a favorable schedule the rest of the way, could still sneak into the playoffs.
If there was a promising young quarterback on the roster, the Ravens should go in that direction, but that isn't the case.
Verdict: Stick with Flacco
Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC is a disaster - so much so that Cincinnati could also end up in the playoffs. But it sure would be nice to see what AJ McCarron could do in real games for an extended stretch before he enters free agency.
You could make the case for Andy Dalton, who hasn't been terrible, to remain the starter, or for the Bengals to see what McCarron can do. But with the playoffs still a possibility, it isn't time to rock the boat.
Verdict: Stick with Dalton
Cleveland Browns
The error was already made here in pulling DeShone Kizer in and out of games throughout his rookie season. Kizer hasn't been successful, but the Browns have done little to help him.
He needs to play out the remainder of the season, without question.
Verdict: Stick with Kizer
Denver Broncos
This is one of the NFL's worst quarterback situations. Brock Osweiler played OK last week as the Broncos got drubbed, but he and Trevor Siemian shouldn't be viewed as long-term options.
Paxton Lynch has done little to inspire confidence that he can become that guy during his short stretch in the league, but Denver needs to give the former first-round pick a chance as soon as possible to see what he can do.
Verdict: Switch to Lynch
Miami Dolphins
Despite its record, Miami is a bad football team. But would pulling Jay Cutler out of the lineup and putting in a known commodity like Matt Moore have any long-term benefit for the Dolphins? Not really.
In fact, while this is a long shot, these final games of the season will give Adam Gase more to go off when comparing Cutler to Ryan Tannehill if Cutler chooses to stay unretired. Nonetheless, Tannehill should own this job in 2018.
Verdict: Stick with Cutler
Minnesota Vikings
This was touched on earlier in the week, but Case Keenum, despite two terrible throws against Washington, deserves to remain Minnesota's starting quarterback. Can he lead one of the NFL's best rosters to a championship? The truth is, probably not.
But what's often lost here is that Teddy Bridgewater wasn't all that impressive before his injury and has never played in this offensive system. Not to mention, he'll likely be rusty when he returns, and the Vikings are going to the playoffs. Keenum is the better option.
Verdict: Stick with Keenum
New York Giants
Few have noticed, but Eli Manning has played OK of late and the offense as a whole has improved, even without Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall. Manning has thrown for just under 500 yards with four touchdowns over the past two games.
Still, he's in decline, and the best thing for the Giants would be to see what Davis Webb brings to the table. New York's season is obviously over.
Verdict: Switch to Webb
New York Jets
The Jets are in a similar situation to their New York counterpart. Josh McCown hasn't been the problem this year. In fact, he has exceeded all expectations. While their situation isn't as dire as that of the Giants, though, the Jets' season is over.
New York should strongly consider bringing McCown back next year, maybe even as their opening-day starter, but the time has come to see if Christian Hackenberg can bring anything to the table at the NFL level.
Verdict: Switch to Hackenberg
San Francisco 49ers
This one is tough because we don't know how well Jimmy Garoppolo knows Kyle Shanahan's complicated offense. Compounding matters, we've seen C.J. Beathard take a beating at times with the 49ers' suspect supporting cast. Will throwing an unprepared Garoppolo into the mix to watch him get abused really help the organization?
Probably not, but San Francisco still should be gaining a much better understanding of what they have in their new quarterback with extended reps during the week and within the quarterback meeting room. Garoppolo needs to see the field this year, but San Francisco would be wise not to rush it.
Verdict: Stick with Beathard
Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast." Find him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)